Polo Penalty Shots

Fouls

An infraction of the rules, especially when safety is involved, is a foul. The other team is usually awarded a penalty shot.

Crossing the Line is the most common foul in a polo match. A player who crosses the line of the ball in front of an opponent creates a dangerous situation for players and ponies.

Penalty Shots

When a player takes a penalty shot at goal it's very similar to a foul shot in basketball. The goal can be defended or it can be a free hit depending upon the severity of the foul. The more severe the penalty, the shorter the hitting distance to the goal mouth.

Penalty shots are given from any position the umpires choose, from the goal line to midfield, with or without a defender allowed in the goal mouth, depending on the severity of the foul.

In polo, penalty shots are numbered from 1 to 10 depending on the severity of the infraction. Penalties 2 through 5 are the most common.

Penalty #1 - A goal is awarded.

Penalty #2 - A free hit from 30 yards to an undefended goal.

Penalty #3 - A free hit from 40 yards to an undefended goal.

Penalty #4 - A free hit from 60 yards to an undefended goal.

Penalty #5 - A free hit from the point of infraction or from midfield.

Penalty #6 - When a defending player hits the ball across his own back line, with the ball placed at the same distance from the sideline as it went out. A "Safety" is called by the umpires when the ball rolls over the back line wide of the goal mouth as a result of being touched by a defending player. The offensive team is awarded a safety penalty shot from 60 yards out to a defended goal. The clock is stopped and the ball is placed on the 60 yard line approximately in line with the spot where the ball crossed the back line.

Penalty #7 - If a player is disabled by a foul to the extent he must retire from the game, the team fouled designates a player from the fouling team to be removed.

Penalty #8 - Disqualification of a player's mount for the duration of the match.

Penalty #9 - Forfeit of the game.

Penalty #10 - Disqualification of the player.